Marvel's 2025: A Year of Ups and Downs, Now Streaming Success!
Published just a few hours ago, this article dives into the rollercoaster year Marvel had in 2025. It's a tale of box office disappointments and a surprising streaming victory. But before we get into the details, let's meet the author, Rahul Malhotra, a Weekend News Writer for Collider. With a passion for cinema from Francois Ozon to David Fincher, he's your guide through the world of film. He's been at Collider for over two years, covering everything from the Oscars to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he's also a box office guru, charting the hits and misses that shape public perception. Rahul is also dedicated to promoting diversity by writing about Indian cinema, opening doors to new cinematic experiences.
Swing and a miss > measured victory. Also, #JusticeForHan. (He/Him).
Despite the upcoming, highly anticipated projects like Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, 2025 wasn't Marvel's best year. The studio released three films that, frankly, underperformed. Even die-hard fans were left scratching their heads. The year started with Captain America: Brave New World, followed by Thunderbolts, and ended with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Designed to be a grand spectacle, The Fantastic Four couldn't match the box office success of even the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. But here's where it gets interesting: the film has found a new life on Disney+.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps immediately shot to the top of the streaming charts, both domestically and globally, surpassing hits like The Book of Life and Zootopia. Released in theaters in July, the movie received positive reviews, but it wasn't the blockbuster Marvel needed at the time. It grossed just over $520 million worldwide, against a reported budget of over $200 million. To put that into perspective, it didn't surpass the earnings of Ant-Man and the Wasp, Thor: The Dark World, or even the original Iron Man from 2008.
However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps did outperform its two predecessors. Thunderbolts didn't quite reach the $400 million mark globally, despite favorable reviews, while Captain America 4 ended with a little over $410 million worldwide. Directed by Matt Shakman, who previously worked on WandaVision, The Fantastic Four: First Steps boasts an impressive 86% "certified fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the cast's chemistry and the retro design.
The Fantastic Four Will Return in 'Avengers: Doomsday'
The film featured Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner, and Ralph Ineson in lead roles. They will all reprise their roles in the upcoming Doomsday, which is currently in production with the Russo Brothers at the helm. This movie is seen as a crucial project for Marvel, with the return of the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr. aiming to restore the franchise's former glory. You can now stream The Fantastic Four: First Steps at home.
Key Details:
- Release Date: July 25, 2025
- Runtime: 115 minutes
- Director: Matt Shakman
- Cast:
- Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
- Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
- Writers: Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Kat Wood, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee
- Producer: Kevin Feige
- Franchise: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Now, here's a thought-provoking question: Do you think the streaming success of The Fantastic Four: First Steps redeems its theatrical performance? Share your opinions in the comments below! And, what do you think about the return of the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers: Doomsday? Let's discuss!
